SITE DESIGN FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING

Skrevet af LARCO

The United States is over eighty percent urbanized, yet over half of the
population still lives in suburban settings, characterized by
low-density, automobile-dependent development with separated land
uses. These disconnected and isolated models of development have been
linked to increased greenhouse-gas emissions and reduced quality of
life, health, and social connections. In Site Design for Multifamily Housing: Creating Livable, Connected Neighborhoods,
the authors explain that creating more livable and vital communities is
within reach and the design and development of multifamily housing is a
key component to reaching this goal.
Multifamily housing is an
important component of increasing density, but large lot multifamily
developments often lack connectivity and hence limit livability and
walkability. Multifamily housing in suburban areas presents greater
challenges than in urban areas due in part to larger lot sizes and
street patterns that are often a mix of cul-de-sac, curved, looped, and
dead-end streets. Increasing the livability of these developments is an
important first step in affecting the livability of the country as a
whole.
This handbook introduces planners, developers, and designers
to ten key elements of multifamily site design, comparing typical and
recommended conditions. Case studies of successful large lot multifamily
developments as well as retrofit proposals for existing developments
with low internal and external connectivity will demonstrate how the
tools in the book can be applied.  Examples are drawn from Oregon,
California, North Carolina, and Arizona. The ideas and tools in this
book, including the planning checklist, code guide, and code summaries,
will help users to create more livable, vibrant, and healthy
communities.